Legault reiterates demand for Bloc to support Quebec on immigration issues

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QUEBEC — Premier François Legault insisted Thursday that he backs no political party in Ottawa and his only commitment in the raging debate about temporary immigrants is to the Quebec nation.

And he recognized that his government’s decision to invest massively in the Northvolt battery plant in Montérégie represents what he called a “calculated risk” because when it comes to the economy and projects that break new ground “nothing is sure.”

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“I learned this in business,” Legault said. “What’s important is the batting average. And I am convinced in a few years all the people whining today will say, ‘Bravo for having invested in the battery industry.’”

Capping a tumultuous week that left his government on the defensive on several fronts including a $6.5-million subsidy for the President’s Cup golf tournament at the same time as Quebec is running a deficit, Legault fought back.

On temporary immigration, he said Ottawa may be claiming it is making progress on Quebec’s demands to halve the number of new arrivals, but he has yet to see any results. The total number remains 588,000, he noted, quoting current Statistics Canada data.

Plus, he again denied that in his bid to get Ottawa moving on the immigration file he is supporting any particular party despite accusations his multiple appeals to the Bloc Québécois to stop supporting the Trudeau Liberals amount to a tacit endorsement of Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives.

“I want to be clear,” Legault said at a news conference on his way into the legislature. “My only bias is towards the Quebec nation and I expect all the federal parties to commit themselves to reducing by half the number of temporary immigrants.”

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He conceded to this day none have, including Poilievre.

“I’ll keep repeating,” he said. “I hope that between now and the federal election (in theory in 2025) that it will become the ballot box question for Quebecers.”

He said that’s why he cannot understand why Bloc Leader Yves François Blanchet isn’t doing more to help Quebec push its case in Ottawa.

“I don’t understand why Mr. Blanchet didn’t request something, a move, a confirmation that Mr. Trudeau will reduce concretely the number of asylum seekers and temporary immigrants,” Legault said.

“I think right now the top priority in discussions between Quebec and the federal government is to reduce the number of temporary immigrants. I ask him, Mr. Blanchet, again that before giving your confidence to the Trudeau government, demand a reduction by half of temporary immigrants.”

The Bloc has refused to play ball. On Wednesday, Blanchet did not include temporary immigration on his list of conditions for continuing to support Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s minority government. He said his priorities would be a bill increasing old-age payments to people over 65 and a supply management bill.

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Legault went further Thursday, saying he now wants all federal parties to commit to Quebec’s demands.

“I expect all the parties in Ottawa make their confidence in the government of Mr. Trudeau conditional to Mr. Trudeau committing himself to reduce by half the number of temporary immigrants,” he said.

The opposition parties, however, continued to hammer away at Legault, trying to link him to the Conservatives. Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois has called Legault Poilievre’s No. 1 fan in Quebec even though he knows the Conservatives believe in pipelines and question a woman’s right to abortion.

They said the premier now is trying to dig himself out of the hole he dug for himself by suggesting the Bloc bring down the Trudeau Liberals, which could lead to a Conservative government.

“François Legault is like a spinning top,” interim Liberal leader Marc Tanguay said in a morning news conference. “He is trying to say he did not say that two plus two equals four.”

“You cannot put the toothpaste back in the tube,” Québec solidaire MNA Vincent Marissal added.

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During question period, Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon challenged Legault to call Poilievre himself and ask him to make a commitment to cut temporary immigration.

“He won’t do it because he knows the answer and he’s too afraid to hear Pierre Poilievre’s answer,” he shot across the floor.

But Legault was also trying to put out another fire: controversy over his government’s investment in the massive Northvolt battery production project following news the Swedish company has financial troubles and laying off 1,600 workers.

Quebec has invested a total of $700 million in the project to date and could add a further $300 million to the pot once construction starts.

Critics of the project and the opposition have said the government’s hasty decision to invest in what amounts to a “startup” could cost taxpayers millions.

They have also questioned why Quebec is allocating 356 megawatts of precious electricity to a foreign firm when Quebec companies are crying out for more power for their shift from fossil fuels.

Legault said despite the company’s recent troubles he “has hope,” the plant will be built because Northvolt is producing a terrific product and has such prestigious clients as BMW.

He conceded there is an element of risk.

“Nothing is certain,” he said. “Neither with Northvolt, or Ford or GM, but I think when we look at the future for electric vehicles in the world and in North America in particular it’s not true that Quebec is going to miss the boat (on this trend).

“Look at my track record over six years in office. I’m very confident that battery production — and remember we invested in 20 companies — will be good for Quebecers.”

pauthier@postmedia.com

x.com/philipauthier

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